Acetylene-gas generator.



D. W. MUNDEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION r1LED1uLY13. 1914. RENEwED Nov.2s,1915.

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D. W. MUNDEN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLlcATloN FILED luLYls. 1914. RENEWED Nov. 28. 191s.

,229,4991. Patented June 12, 1917.

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DNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTQE.

DANIEL W. MUNDEN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, `INDIANA,.ASSIGNOR TO LOUIS WAGSCI-IAL, F

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA; v

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

Application led Julyfl, 1914, Serial No. 850,616l

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, DANiEL V.MUNDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and Vi-'State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to a machine orapparatus whereby gas is generated fronrcarbid of calcium, the invention having reference more particularly to agas generator l that is designed to `withstand an extremely high pressure, and to rapidly producethev gas under various pressures.

An object of the invention is to provide a high-pressure acetylene gas generator that shall be so constructed as toy be adaptedto* be manufactured without entailing great exi pense, and which shall be adapted to be self-contained and to operate effectively in small sizes in order to permit shipment k thereof from the factoryk at the minimum cost for package and freightage.

Another' object of the invention is toprovide an acetylene gas; generator which shall be so constructed as to be adapted' to be readily handlcdin `operation whether/'of large or relatively small size and be capable of rapidly generating7 and also containing gas, either under extremely high' or vunder` low pressure, with the purpose of imme'di-r lately delivering the gas for useyor retaining gas if desired for use-as may be required.

A still further object is to provide* an acetylene gas generator of such construction as to be especially adapted for generating 40 `gas for charging gas-containers oi' packages under extremely highpressure'to be used from the container or package for lighting or other purposes as may be required, thev gas at high pressure in the generator being:

useful also in supplying burners to produce x a blow-flame for weldingor other purposes.V With the above-inentioned and otherlob` jects in view the invention consistsin "anf improved acetylene gas generator comprising an open vessel for holding carbid vof calcium, and an open reservoir for water to be fed to the clarbidin the production of gas and provided with novel apparatus for controlling the feeding of the water tothe carbid-vessel, and a sealed `receiver inclosing Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented J une i2, 1917. RenewedNovember 28, 1916. Serial No. 133,988.

the carbid-holding vessel and also the waterreservoir, for receiving the generated gas and insuring the distribution of the gas pressure equally on the carbid and the feedwater, the receiver being provided with an outlet for delivering the gas, Vand `waterfeeding means cooperating with both the reservoir and the receiver. The invention consistsalso further in the novel parts, and

in the combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings forming part oftliis specification, Figure l is an elevation of the improved generator constructed substantially in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation approximately on the line A A on Fig. l but with the cover of the receiver disconnected from the body portion of the receiver; Fig. 3 is a top plan of the generator' minus the cover thereof and partially broken away; Fig. t

uis an enlarged sectional view of attachments L of the cover of the receiver; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of attachments of the water-reservoir; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a guide with which the water-reservoir is provided; Fig. 7 is a vertical section partially broken away on the line A A on i Fig- ;15Fig 8 is a perspective view of a part of the water-feed controlling apparatus i carried by the cover of the receiver; Fig. 9

is a perspective view of the water-feed valve with which the water-reservoir is provided;

vFig. 10 is a perspective view of the complete `water-reservoir partially broken away; Fig.

1l is a perspective view of the complete carbid-holding vessel, vand Fig. l2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 8.

Similary reference characters in the different figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to.

In practically carrying out the objects of the invention a very' strong cylindrical vessel is provided which constitutes the main or `body portionrof the receiver and comprises a bottom l, and a cylindrical shell or wall 2 securedin a substantial manner and tightly to the bottom l. The ripper' end portionV of the shell or wall has a joint ring 3 firmly secured thereto, the ring extending around the exterior of the shell yto constitute a retaining flangewhich has a suitable number of recesses or slots 4 infits peripheral portion to receive clamp bolts, the under portion of the ring or fiange preferably having recesses 5 thereinA that extend from the inner ends of the slots 4. A packing ring or gasket 6 is preferably provided of proper size to fit upon the joint ring and form an air-tight joint between the top of the body portion of the yreceiver and a cover 7 which is provided and adapted to close the top of the body'portion, "the cover.y

being placed upon the gasket. A suitable number of clamp bolts S are provided and:

fitted loosely into the cover, each bolt having a lug 9 projecting from one side ofits lower end so as to be seated in the recess 5 to prevent the bolt from turning when tightening a nut 10 with which the bolt is provided. The nuts are seated upon the top of the cover so as to carry the bolts when the y cover is removed, and when the bolts are turned so that the lugs. extend outwardly the bolts may be entered in the slots 4, after which they may be turned so that the lugs f engage the ring or iange rof the main or f' body part of the receiver. rlhe middle .por-

tion of the cover 7 is provided withy a suitable packing box 11 having a guide bore 12 therein at the lower end of whichis a lioint` seat 13, the upperfportion of the packing box preferably Ahaving a gland 14 therein engaged by a packing nut 15 screwed onto,`

the packing box. A valve-operating rod is carried by the cover and comprises a cylindrical shaft portion 16 which is inserted in,

which extends through they packing in thev packing box. The rod 4comprisesy also a squared portion 20 which extends downward beyond the collar 17 in alinement with the shaft portion 1G for rotatably turning the feed-valve of the reservoir7 the. squared portion having a pointed guiding end 2l adapt'- ed to lead the squared portion into a socket. The interior of the receiver, as will be seen, is free from projections or obstructions so that the shell or wall of the body portion presents a clear guiding surface. I

yA suitable carbid-holding vessel is provided which comprises a bottom 22' and a cylindrical side portion or wall 23 secured to the bottom, the vessel being of suitable' dimension so as to be freely inserted into the receiver to rest upon the bottom l thereof, the vessel having an open top.V Theupper portion of the side or wall 23 preferably is provided with a swinging bail 24 for car'- rying the vessel, and when' the latter is inserted in the receiver the bail rests against Vthe wall 2 thereof. The vessel is preferably provided with yguides for guiding it centrally in thereceiver and preferably is provided also with means for supporting a water-holding reservoir above the vessel. Preferably the guides and supports respectivelyv are combined in one and comprise arms wliich'may suitably be composed of L- section angle bai suitably bent so as to form base or shank portions 25, 25, 25, respectively, lwhich are secured to the inner side ofthe upper portion of the vessel wall 23 and extend outward over the top of the wall to formV inclined centering arms 2G, 26, 26, respectively, from which guide portions 27, 27 27, respectively extend nearly to the wall 2 of the receiver for centrally guiding the vessel therein.

-An open top water-holding reservoir is provided which comprises a saucer-shaped bottom 28 onwhich is aside or wall lportion 29, the bottoinnormally being supported on the arms 26,26, 26, so that ample space is provided for the escape of gas from thek carbid-holding vessel and from beneath the reservoir to the interior of the receiver, the space also permitting free equalization of they gas pressure in the receiver and in the vessel. The bottom 28 kis preferably provided with a valve casing 30 which has a nipple 3l extending downward beyond the bottom, a feedduct 32 extending from the interior 33 kof the casing downward through the nipple. Thefuppery portion of thek interior of the casing is providedV with screwthreads 34, and apertures 35 are formed in they wall of the casing Vfor admitting water from the reservoir to the.k interior of the casing in which a valve seat 36 is formed at the upper end of the duct 32. Preferably a pipe cross or rosette 37 is secured to the nipple 31 and has radially arranged distributing pipes 38, 38, connected thereto, the pipes havingcaps 39, 39', closing their ends, and the under sides of the pipes have perforations40, 40', therein from which the feed water may drop onto the carbid in the vessel below. VThe pipesserve also as supf yporting feet for supporting the reservoir f uprightly when removed from the receiver.

Preferably the upper portion of the reservoir is provided with a guide 41 having a guideway42 therein, the-guide being pro-V f 120 vided with supporting arms 43, 43", 43,

`which are suitably secured to the top portion of the wall 29 of the reservoir, the reservoir being provided with means yfor centrally4 guiding it in the receiver, the guiding means preferably comprising guide extensions 44, 44', 44, formed integrally on kthe arms of the guide 41 and extending nearly tothe wall 2 of the receiver.L yPreferably the arms are secured to the wall 29 by means of angle/pieces 45, 45, 45'?, secured 130 'i tothe `wall andthe respective arms.` For the purpose offeeding or stopping thefio-w portion L7 `thereon that extends rotatably through theguideway 4:2 and has a squared socket 48 in its upper portion adapted to receive the squared portion20 of theoperating-rod and enable the rod toy rotate the stem, the latter having screw threads 49 thereon that are in engagement with the screw threads 3l of the valve casing. The valve stem has also a needle-point feed-valve 50 on its lower end adaptedto, cooperate with the valve seat 3G for controllingl the flow of water,the control being effected, when the receiver is closed and sealed, by means of the external wheel or knob 19. The socket 48 is sufficiently deep to aflord clearance and permit the valve to be elevated from its seat without interfering with the guide point 21 of the operating rod. The clearance is suiiicient to also permit the reservoir to carry up the valve stem 116 in case the vessel is overcharged with carbid and the expanded product or ash of the carbid rises to the bottom 28 and lifts the reservoir from its supports. The upper portion of the wall 2 of the receiver has an outlet pipe 51 connected thereto that is provided with a stop valve 52 for controlling` the discharge of the gas produced in the receiver, a pressure gage 58 being suitably connected with the outlet pipe between the receiver and the stop valve, or obviously the gage may be otherwise connected with the receiver. A blow-off pipe 54 is connected also to the wall of the receiver and provided with a stop valve 55, an automatic safety valve 56 being connected with the escape pipe 511 between the receiver and the stop valve.

It should be understood that various modifications in the details of construction may fairly be made within the scope ofthe appended claims, the structure described in detail being such as may be preferred as advantageous embodiment of the invention.

ln practical. use the cover 7 is moved from the body portion of the receiver and carries the valveoperating rod with it. The carbid-holding vessel is charged with a suitable quantity of carbid, preferably from onehalf to threefourths of the capacity of the vessel, after which the vessel is inserted into the body portion of the receiver and placed on the bottom 1 thereof, the bail 24E being pushed over to rest position so as to clear the reservoir, which after having been nearly filled with water is placed upon its supporting arms, the valve 50 being on its seat. The cover 7 is again placed in position following the insertion of the squared portion Q0 of the operating rod into the socket 4S of thevalve stem, after which the lug bolts are turned to proper position and tightened 'so as to draw the cover down tightly and seal the receiver.` henit is desired to generate gas the wheel or knob 19 is turned in the proper direction, so that the rod `causes the valve stem to rotate and cause the valve 50 to be lifted more or less from its seat as may be desired to produce the gas with the required rapidity.` The ca pacity of the receiver is relatively small, as

will be seen, and consequently the gas pressure increases rapidly therein, and when the pressure issutficient for the purpose as indicated by the pressure gage 53 the gas may be wdrawn `off for such purposeas may be desired, such as the charging of gas tanks er portable containers for shipment and from which the gas may ultimately be used for consumption in automobile or other lamps, or for other purposes. In case of overpres sure in the receiver, the excess gas promptly escapes from the safety valve 56, and when desired the valve 55 may be opened to permit the escape of gas into the atmosphere, especially if there be pressure in the receiver when it is necessary to remove the cover for recharging with carbid.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. An acetylene gas generator including a closed receiver, a water-reservoir support ed in the receiver and comprising a bottom and a side wall, the bottom being` provided with a valve casing having a nipple thereon extending below the bottom. a plurality of perforated pipes having communication with the nipple and extending radially therefrom, the pipes providing supporting feet for the reservoir, and a feed-valve arranged in the valve casing.

2. An acetylene gas generator including a cylindrical receiver, a water-reservoir in the receiver, means for supporting the water-reservoir above the bottom of the receiver', a center guide having arms secured to the upper portion of the reservoir, the arms having guide projections projecting beyond the reservoir approximately to the wall of the receiver, a valve casing connected to the bottom of the reservoir, and a valve in the casing having a stem extending` through the center guide.

3. An acetylene gas generator including a cylindrical receiver, a carbid-vessel comprising a bottom and a side wall, the bottom of the carbid-vessel being supported in the receiver, a plurality of combined supporting and guiding devices secured to the inner side of the upper portion of the Wall of the carbid-vessel and extending upward and over the top of the wall approximately to the cylindrical receiver wall on an inclined angle, a water-reservoir removably supported upon the devices, and a feedvalve connected with the bottom of the water-reservoir.

4.A An acetylene gas generator including a receiver body comprising a bottom and a side WalLaf carbid-holding vessel in the receiver body removably supported on the bottorn thereof, a ,vvater-bolding?,` reservoir removably supported by the carbid-holding vesselv in the receiver body and provided in its upper portion With' a guidevvay,-a feedvalve in the reservoir having a vertical stem guided in the guideway, the stem having ya squared socket in its vupper end, a cover removably secured and sealed t0 the top of the Y side Wall of the receiver body and provided With a packing box having a joint-seat in its inner end, and an operating rodeXtendi5 ing movabiy .through the packing box and having 1 a collar thereon providedr With a valve face `'normally yin Contact with the joint-seat, the rod having a pointed squaredr portion extending'removabiy into the Socket 2;) of the valve stem. y y

In testimony'vvhereo'f, I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses,

n l DANIELW. MNDEN.

Vitnesses:

' E. T. Samos',

.LLL GARDNER.

Copies of this patent mayibe obtained for ve centseach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 10.0. 

